Alfa Z-Cup - Johnnypenso and Carracerptp Z-Cup Co-Champions!

[RDAardvark]

^ I was thinking about doing the same thing, get some team planning going.
Do you think we should do multiple short races or a full length race with a pitstop? I generally think the first few laps of any race are the most hectic and require the most practice/patience to get through so I kind of like the multiple races plan so we can get a few shots at practicing the start and first couple laps.

At least a few short races would be good practice, especially if we mix up the grid a lot. Even two laps would be good as, like you say, the first couple of laps are the most hectic and require the most concentration.

We could then do a few longer races, with a pitstop. That was one thing I never did before at La Sarthe and it was a bit of a shock to find the autodrive taking the car off the track when entering the pits.

Going back to the head tracking thing, I may be being stupid but how does that work? You turn your head to look out the side window and the game tracks this and changes the view? With you so far but then you now have your head turned and the monitor in front of you is now displaying the side view? I don't get it.
[cue lots of thick irishman jokes!]

 

[BrandonW77]

Going back to the head tracking thing, I may be being stupid but how does that work? You turn your head to look out the side window and the game tracks this and changes the view? With you so far but then you now have your head turned and the monitor in front of you is now displaying the side view? I don't get it.
[cue lots of thick irishman jokes!]

You're correct, it seems counterproductive. But, most (non-Irish) humans are capable of having their face turned in one direction while their eyes look in a different direction. I can turn my head 30-40º in either direction and still keep my eyes on the monitor. You don't have to move your head very far for the headtracking to take effect, so it would take a little practice to get used to but it's quite possible.

The Great YouTube holds the answers which you seek. And in this case, the answers aren't very encouraging.

 

[RDAardvark]

^I have now found the ultimate definition of 'Meh'.

 

[BrandonW77]

^ Pretty much, yeah. Kinda frustrating to think they spent any amount of time/resources on this feature that is essentially useless and doesn't even work very well. Should have spent that time modeling Silverstone instead.

 

[Blind829]

That was the first time I've seen head tracking in action. I figured it was just a simple "right-view / left-view" thing but it tracks everything, up-down and all around. Now I can see why there wasn't enough resources to use it in anything but arcade mode. If only it worked to perfection and was available in everything...

 

[dsgerbc]

I'd prefer short races today too, on the off chance I choose to watch some guy's head talking on TV @9pm.

 

[WRP001]

At least a few short races would be good practice, especially if we mix up the grid a lot. Even two laps would be good as, like you say, the first couple of laps are the most hectic and require the most concentration.

We could then do a few longer races, with a pitstop. That was one thing I never did before at La Sarthe and it was a bit of a shock to find the autodrive taking the car off the track when entering the pits.

Going back to the head tracking thing, I may be being stupid but how does that work? You turn your head to look out the side window and the game tracks this and changes the view? With you so far but then you now have your head turned and the monitor in front of you is now displaying the side view? I don't get it.
[cue lots of thick irishman jokes!]

I'd suggest setting the short races so they take ~12 minutes. That way if someone pops in the lounge after we start they don't have to wait very long, but they are long enough to get into the flow and warm the tires. It takes this car a full lap and a half to get fully heated tires. Maybe 6-7 lap races and then some free run time between races for a break or discussion.

The WRS practices run a bit longer as people come and go and we usually start a 12-15 minute race about every half hour and do free run between. We also will typically use free run practice to follow closely without the draft... it helps pick out lines and areas you may be losing time... with the draft in race mode that's kind of masked as you get a pull back even if you mess up a corner exit and get toed around by the faster guy.

Good call on the mics being on.

EDIT: Can't make the EU timeslot (1PM Pacific) today. Had a business meeting plopped right at the that time for an hour. 👎 If that runs over an hour I might be able to join or if the lounge opens at Noon I could pop in for 30 minutes or so. Or if someone wants to get the NA slot started early -- even for just free run I could pop on early tonight... not sure what your schedules are, but 4PM Pacific usually works for me -- that's usually the time we start pre-race practice right? So that might work as I can't run far past 5 PM due to family commitments -- like the Kids want to eat and their mother (also happens to be my wife ) doesn't take kindly to me racing while the family is eating dinner. I'm also going to be on a flight back from Chicago on Friday so can't make that practice race either.

 

[RDAardvark]

Thanks for the tip on the tyres getting up to temp. The reason for a few very short races was to recreate the mayhem at the race start. We can then up the lap count to 7 as you suggest once everyone has had a few practice starts.

 

[BrandonW77]

I'd suggest setting the short races so they take ~12 minutes. That way if someone pops in the lounge after we start they don't have to wait very long, but they are long enough to get into the flow and warm the tires. It takes this car a full lap and a half to get fully heated tires. Maybe 6-7 lap races and then some free run time between races for a break or discussion.

The WRS practices run a bit longer as people come and go and we usually start a 12-15 minute race about every half hour and do free run between. We also will typically use free run practice to follow closely without the draft... it helps pick out lines and areas you may be losing time... with the draft in race mode that's kind of masked as you get a pull back even if you mess up a corner exit and get toed around by the faster guy.

Good call on the mics being on.

EDIT: Can't make the EU timeslot (1PM Pacific) today. Had a business meeting plopped right at the that time for an hour. 👎 If that runs over an hour I might be able to join or if the lounge opens at Noon I could pop in for 30 minutes or so. Or if someone wants to get the NA slot started early -- even for just free run I could pop on early tonight... not sure what your schedules are, but 4PM Pacific usually works for me -- that's usually the time we start pre-race practice right? So that might work as I can't run far past 5 PM due to family commitments -- like the Kids want to eat and their mother (also happens to be my wife ) doesn't take kindly to me racing while the family is eating dinner. I'm also going to be on a flight back from Chicago on Friday so can't make that practice race either.

We'll run some 6 lappers which should be around 12 minutes each. Plenty of time for late-comers to join in on the next one.

I'll have the room open by 7pm EST tonight and probably start the first race around 7:30 so hopefully you can get at least one race in. 👍

 

[WRP001]

We'll run some 6 lappers which should be around 12 minutes each. Plenty of time for late-comers to join in on the next one.

I'll have the room open by 7pm EST tonight and probably start the first race around 7:30 so hopefully you can get at least one race in. 👍

Cool. I should be able to make it at 7 and stay on until at least 5, maybe a touch later. I got in some practice yesterday and I have a WRS race tomorrow afternoon so I should be fine. I'll have to brush up again Friday night / Saturday morning after two to three days of not touching the wheel.

Also, it's 6 hours until the closing of the time trial (6:59 PM Eastern). We will reveal the time trial results at that point and the A/B lounge assignments for Saturday's first round. If you haven't submitted a "hot lap" you still have some time. If you don't submit, not a problem, you'll start in Lounge B and you can move to Lounge A for the 2nd round if you finish in the top 3 among Team ORCA drivers in round B. The shuffle should give all drivers from both teams a chance to race with some different competition in each round.

 

[chukabilly]

I'll be around for practice anytime after 5:00 E.S.T.. I'm gong to need all the practice I can get on this one!!

 

[RDAardvark]

The Orca_champ lounge is now open for practice at Fuji.

 

[carracerptp]

When do we do the Monza race? Next week?

 

[WRP001]

When do we do the Monza race? Next week?

Yes, this is the "all star" break week.

 

[SagarisGTB]

Ran my first online practice laps with Aardvark and all things considered it went well. Best time was a clean 1'51.0 on a near full tank with a 1'01.2 2nd split. Late in the session, I was frequently running low 1'01s through 2 sectors, but that first corner in sector 3 was catching me out. 80% of the time I was either going in too hot and running wide or taking it too conservatively and going too slow. It's like threading the needle, that corner requires utmost precision for a fast lap.

Hopefully there will be more people tonight so we can run some practice races.

 

[OwensRacing]

What room are you guys using. This TT isnt for me. Need car on car action.

 

[SagarisGTB]

We were in the ORCA Champ lounge before. I think it will open again in the evening for actual practice races. We didn't do any as there was only two of us in the GMT timeslot.

 

[BrandonW77]

The Champ lounge is now open for FUJI practice. We'll do several 6-8 lap races throughout the evening.

*closed*

 

[TrackBound7]

Just a reminder to anyone who is not planning in running in Friday's WRS/ORCA event, there may be some racing in the Spec Lounge using the recommended garage, at Monza. If interested please post on the groups other page:

https://www.gtplanet.net/forum/group.php?groupid=507

 

[BrandonW77]

A bit of a disappointing turnout last night with only a handful of us showing up to practice. I know the time trial stuff wasn't everyone's cup of tea but that was only a minor part of the event, basically pre-qualifying. The event itself is going to be a normal race against real people like we normally do and it should be a lot of fun to run against some new faces/helmets. We will have another practice session Friday night at our normal time slot and everyone is encouraged to come out to Fuji. Even if you're not running the event on Saturday you can practice with us, always good to have more cars on the track.

Hope to see some more of you Friday and looking forward to a fun day of racing on Saturday! 👍

 

[Johnnypenso]

Just got back into town so I wasn't available for practice last night.

I need to get some laps in with our normally untuned car online to see how she gets along. I think I did 5 laps and was in the high 1:51's in the last couple of laps so I have some work to do I think. The last corner was a little hairy I glanced at the rankings of the drivers in the two rooms and it looks like both will be extremely competitive races throughout the field. Really looking forward to this it should be a great event. Good job Brandon and WRP putting this together:tup:

 

[bdubclub]

What room are you guys using. This TT isnt for me. Need car on car action.

+1, sorry for my tardiness, but the TT is not really my thing. I do still plan on racing this weekend. I would be up for some practice races after 9 est tonight if anyone is going to be around.

 

[WRP001]

+1, sorry for my tardiness, but the TT is not really my thing. I do still plan on racing this weekend. I would be up for some practice races after 9 est tonight if anyone is going to be around.

No problem on the time trial. Just our way to sort out how we assign people to the different lounges fairly. By not running you will by default race round 1 in lobby B, but you can race in lounge A for round 2 by finishing in the top 2 for team Orca in B (or 3 pending final rule). 👍 See you Saturday.

 

[carracerptp]

Regarding the two races, what is the "team" etiquette.
If given the choice, would it be consider fair or expected or "cheap" for an ORCA driver to push another ORCA driver instead of a WRS driver in to make a 2 car pack?
Is it go for the win or drive to help your team member(s) win overall in point. I would hope for the former as it seems to be a fun race.

 

[WRP001]

Regarding the two races, what is the "team" etiquette.
If given the choice, would it be consider fair or expected or "cheap" for an ORCA driver to push another ORCA driver instead of a WRS driver in to make a 2 car pack?
Is it go for the win or drive to help your team member(s) win overall in point. I would hope for the former as it seems to be a fun race.

Other than driving clean and following OLR rules I would consider this a team based event. I think blocking the other team on purpose or doing something like that is not called for, but bumping your own team mate and passing a WRS driver is obviously good team strategy.

In terms of bumping and helping the team. To me if you are faster in the technical section you are better off to pass and pull. If you are following a faster driver you are better off to bump.

But this is up to the individual driver... At least on the WRS side there are NO specific team orders (as far as I know).

 

[dsgerbc]

Even from a team strategy standpoint I don't think it's obvious whom to bump. I think it's better have an opposite team as a leading car in a co-drafting pack, since then you can save tires. And in round one everyone races only against their team members.

 

[carracerptp]

Other than driving clean and following OLR rules I would consider this a team based event. I think blocking the other team on purpose or doing something like that is not called for, but bumping your own team mate and passing a WRS driver is obviously good team strategy.

In terms of bumping and helping the team. To me if you are faster in the technical section you are better off to pass and pull. If you are following a faster driver you are better off to bump.

But this is up to the individual driver... At least on the WRS side there are NO specific team orders (as far as I know).

OK, I think then on friday we should practice pushing a car, see how close we can get without messing someone up.

The 2 car pack is much faster and since this is a team event we should try and build a lead soon and early (D1 guys are a fast and caulating bunch )

Even from a team strategy standpoint I don't think it's obvious whom to bump. I think it's better have an opposite team as a leading car in a co-drafting pack, since then you can save tires. And in round one everyone races only against their team members.

I thought it was mixed for both races? The info graphics show it as 6 WRSs and 6 ORCAs for both races.

 

[WRP001]

Even from a team strategy standpoint I don't think it's obvious whom to bump. I think it's better have an opposite team as a leading car in a co-drafting pack, since then you can save tires. And in round one everyone races only against their team members.

Not really 100% true you are racing against your team members in round 1. It's a gray area and more a coopetition... you score points in round 1 that are equal to the points in round 2. This isn't a semi-final / final format. This is two rounds of equal weight as far as points.

So it's actually a tough call... you want to help a team mate, but you want to stay in Lounge A...

Have fun and what the heck! The teams are mixed anyway to some extent... some of us are on both series. Just a good excuse to race against drivers of similar speed and throw a little team loyalty in the mix.

Personally I'm going to try and advance and finish in the top 3. If pushing helps me that's what I'll do. If passing helps that's what I'll do. However, if my chance of finishing in top 3 is shot I'll probably try and find an Orca member to push. Also if it's 50/50 what I should do... say two guys I could push, I'll pick the team Orca guy.

Also I imagine there is also a bit of "do unto others". If I get bullied by someone at the start I'm not going to help them later and visa versa.

I thought it was mixed for both races? The info graphics show it as 6 WRSs and 6 ORCAs for both races.

Yes it is. You are right.

 

[OwensRacing]

A bit of a disappointing turnout last night with only a handful of us showing up to practice. I know the time trial stuff wasn't everyone's cup of tea but that was only a minor part of the event, basically pre-qualifying. The event itself is going to be a normal race against real people like we normally do and it should be a lot of fun to run against some new faces/helmets. We will have another practice session Friday night at our normal time slot and everyone is encouraged to come out to Fuji. Even if you're not running the event on Saturday you can practice with us, always good to have more cars on the track.

Hope to see some more of you Friday and looking forward to a fun day of racing on Saturday! 👍

I got tied up. Did make it. Just lil late. Got some decent laps in.

+1, sorry for my tardiness, but the TT is not really my thing. I do still plan on racing this weekend. I would be up for some practice races after 9 est tonight if anyone is going to be around.

This week. I would like to get about 457 laps on on this track with this car. LoL

So yea. I'll be on.

 

[carracerptp]

Not really 100% true you are racing against your team members in round 1. It's a gray area and more a coopetition... you score points in round 1 that are equal to the points in round 2. This isn't a semi-final / final format. This is two rounds of equal weight as far as points.

So it's actually a tough call... you want to help a team mate, but you want to stay in Lounge A...

Have fun and what the heck! The teams are mixed anyway to some extent... some of us are on both series. Just a good excuse to race against drivers of similar speed and throw a little team loyalty in the mix.

Personally I'm going to try and advance and finish in the top 3. If pushing helps me that's what I'll do. If passing helps that's what I'll do. However, if my chance of finishing in top 3 is shot I'll probably try and find an Orca member to push. Also if it's 50/50 what I should do... say two guys I could push, I'll pick the team Orca guy.

Also I imagine there is also a bit of "do unto others". If I get bullied by someone at the start I'm not going to help them later and visa versa.

So, I should stay away from you in turn 1
I will try and push an ORCA guy. I'm now making a list of drivers that are faster and could win, so far I have 5 on the list.....
But if a WRS guy gets the lead and is set for a breakaway and by a stroke of luck I'm right on his tail, I'm going with him.